Trouble still brewing at UT Austin

Express-News Editorial Board

Updated 4:25 pm, Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Photo: Jack Plunkett, Associated Press

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University of Texas president Bill Powers discusses the search for a new head football coach in Austin, Texas on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. Current coach Mack Brown announced he was stepping down from the position following the Valero Alamo Bowl on Dec. 30. (AP Photo/Jack Plunkett) less

University of Texas president Bill Powers discusses the search for a new head football coach in Austin, Texas on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. Current coach Mack Brown announced he was stepping down from the position ... more

Still, the meeting didn't inspire much confidence as Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa aired his grievances, calling his relationship with Powers strained.

Nevertheless, Cigarroa said keeping Powers on as president was “in the best interest of the university.”

Powers has advocated for more resources for higher education and research, and he has objected to initiatives backed by Gov. Rick Perry.

These initiatives would diminish research and base faculty reviews on tuition revenue, among other ideas. They are aimed at reducing education costs, but would likely undermine education and research.

The University of Texas at Austin is widely regarded as one of the finest public universities in the nation, and Powers has been a credit to it in his tenure as president. He has received overwhelming support from lawmakers, faculty and students. Appropriately, he serves as chairman of the Association of American Universities.

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He's also been the subject of intense attacks from several regents, notably Wallace Hall, of Dallas, who has filed voluminous records requests of the university. These requests appear aimless — the ugly byproduct of the struggle between Powers and Perry over higher education — and we have called for Hall's resignation.

His attacks have tarnished the university's reputation, injecting instability where none is needed. It could play a role in UT-Austin's ability to attract a top-tier football coach to replace Mack Brown.

Powers' job is secure for the foreseeable future — and that is a good thing.

The drama, though, does not stop here. Powers is scheduled to testify before a legislative committee now investigating Hall for abuse of power.

The orbit just gets wider and wider.

Regent Chairman Paul Foster was quick to turn attention to the bright future, as if this sad saga were fully resolved.

“I'm optimistic about the future of UT-Austin,” Foster said, according to The Texas-Tribune. “And I'm confident that all this controversy will soon be a distant memory.”

We don't see it that way. Due to clumsy and unnecessary political meddling, UT-Austin appears stuck in political muck. Given the importance of UT-Austin, that's bad news for Texas and the nation.